Geekom A9 Max AI ZDNET's key takeaways The Geekom A9 Max AI is available for $999 on Amazon.
This tiny PC has tons of power to spare and can even work well with the inefficiencies of Windows.
However, its fans can be quite loud. $999 at Amazon
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When I review small form factor PCs, I tend to keep my expectations in check. Given that I use a monstrous System76 Thelio desktop for most of my work, it's generally a challenge for such a tiny, shiny box to match. In fact, I've never met a tiny PC that could outperform my Thelio.
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The GEEKOM A9 Max AI Mini certainly gave it a run for its money. And while being hampered by an inferior OS. Note to all companies sending me PCs to review: Please send me machines with Linux preinstalled. Not only do I find it far easier to review computers with Linux, but it also shows consumers that you do offer open-source options.
With that request out of the way, let's talk about the A9 Max AI.
My experience
Naturally, because this machine sported the Windows operating system, it took a long time before I could even use it. There were updates aplenty, logging in with my Microsoft account, blah, blah. You know the drill.
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